Frederation Bail Bonds can help you with the entire process of bail bonding. We have provided information on this site to help you understand the process. If you would like to speak with us in person please give us a call – we would be happy to give you a free consultation.

How does Bail work?

When an individual is arrested for a crime, typically that person will be taken to a local law enforcement station for booking, prior to incarceration in a station lockup or county jail. Once arrested and booked, the defendant has several options for release pending the conclusion of his or her case. Bail is designed to guarantee the appearance of a defendant in court at the time the judge directs.

What are the release options if someone is arrested?

There are six basic release options available. These options are:

Walk Through Bond – If you are in danger of being incarcerated because of a warrant for your arrest, we can help to avoid going to jail by issuing you a “WALK THROUGH BOND”.

Cash Bail – To be released on cash bail, an individual must post with the court the total amount of the bail, in cash, to secure his or her return to court on an appointed date, and thereafter until the case is concluded. Full cash bonds provide a powerful incentive for defendants to appear at trial. If the defendant shows up for his/her scheduled court appearances, the cash is returned to him/her. If s/he fails to appear, the cash bond is forfeited to the court.

Surety Bond – An alternative to cash bail is a surety bond. This process involves a contractual undertaking guaranteed by an admitted insurance company having adequate assets to satisfy the face value of the bond. The bail agent guarantees to the court that they will pay the bond forfeiture if a defendant fails to appear for their scheduled court appearances. The bail agent’s guarantee is made through a surety company and/or by pledging property owned by the bail agent.

For this service, the defendant is charged a premium. Prior to the posting of the surety bond, the defendant, friend or relative must contact a licensed bail agent. Once a bail agent is contacted, an interview or appointment will be immediately scheduled.

By involving the family and friends of a defendant cosigning the bond, as well as through the acceptance of collateral, the bail agent can be reasonably assured that the defendant released on a surety bond will appear to all of his/her court appearances.

After this procedure is completed, the bail agent will post a bond for the full bail amount, financially guaranteeing the defendant’s return to court as scheduled. With money on the line, the bail agent has a financial interest in supervising bailees, and ensuring that they appear in court each end every time the court orders them to appear. If the defendant does not appear in court (skips), the bail agent has time and the financial incentive to find the defendant and bring him/her to court.

Property Bond – In rare cases an individual may be released by posting a property bond with the court. With a property bond, the court records a lien on the property to secure the bail amount. If the defendant fails to appear in court as scheduled, the court may foreclose on the property to obtain the forfeited bail amount

Release on Personal (Own) Recognizance (P.R.) – Another method of release, pending trial, is through a county or law enforcement administered pre-trial release program. Usually, the employees of these programs interview defendants in custody and make recommendations to the court regarding the release of these individuals on their own recognizance (i.e., without any financial security to insure the defendant’s return). The interview process is often conducted over the telephone, usually with little inquiry into the defendant’s background. The interview process attempts to determine whether the detainee is likely to appear in court. There is usually no verification of information provided by the defendant. Since no money, property or bond is posted to secure the defendant’s appearance in court, he/she faces no personal economic hardship from the conscious decision not to appear in court.

Release on Citation (Cite Out) – This procedure involves the issuance of a citation by the arresting officer to the arrestee, informing the arrestee that he/she must appear in court at an appointed court date. The “Cite Out” usually occurs immediately after an individual is arrested. As a consequence of the failure to follow complete booking procedures, the true identity and background of most individuals released on citation is never established. This results in the release of numerous arrestees who may have outstanding bench warrants pending or who may present a significant danger to society. Accordingly, in those cases involving “Cite Outs”, the arrestee may never be placed in custody. Like the Own Recognizance (O.R.) release, the defendant’s appearance in court depends exclusively on the integrity of the defendant voluntarily returning to court as ordered by the court.

Some Tips on Bail Bonding Agents

1. Make sure you only deal with a licensed bail agent. Ask to see the bail agent’s license and identification prior to any bail transaction.

2. Make sure the bail agent charges you only legal rates not to exceed 15% in Colorado per bond plus bonding, booking, and filing fees required by the court and or detention facility. Any additional charges should be itemized and explained to your satisfaction.

3. Make sure you are given itemized receipts for all charges.

4. Make sure you are given copies of all signed contracts and agreements.

5. If financing is provided, make sure you understand the terms of the financing agreement prior to signing and be sure you are given copies of anything you sign.

6. Make sure the bail agent you contract with will be available to you after the bail bond has been posted. Part of what you pay for is service. Any professional bail agent will be available for questions or concerns throughout the entire process.